Sectional casing construction



June l1, 1'940. c. E. AKERS 2,203,808

- sfEcTroNAL @Asme CONSTRUCTION `Film1 -April 21, 1959 INVEN on (2m/ems B. kses ATTORNEYS Patented June l1, 1940 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIE n p 2,203,808 y i y SECTIONAL CASING CONSTRUCTION Charles B. Akers, Akron, Ohio Application April 21, 1939, Serial No. 269,136

1 claim.` (crise- 34) 'Ihe present invention relates to the construction of metal structures in which a wall or casing is composed of sections or panelsunited by battensor the like in a complete structure. The

invention was originally designed for use in the` manufacture of casings about furnace or boiler structures in order to obviate certain disadvantages of `former ,devices `of this nature, the casing being attached to the main supporting structure, the intermediate space behind the casing being lled with an insulating material. However, the principles of the invention may be applied to partitions, wall, or ceiling structures and many different devices o-f a similarnature.

The usuall and accepted devices have the dis-` advantage that the bolts securing the battens to the main supporting `structure have projected through the battens and are thus exposed onthe outside of the wall structure. This is not only unsightly but the projecting bolts will rust and `work loose. In addition, adequate provision is not made for expansion and contraction of the wall, consequently the bolts or holding devices soon become insecure.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the further description contained herein, the invention being illustrated in `its best known or preferred form, and being subject to modifications and adaptations within the scope of the claim.

In the drawing, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown:

Fig. 1 is a cross section through a portion of the casing made in accordance with the invention showing intermediate or flat battens and corner battens with the panels mounted therein. This view also shows, by way of example only, studding for carrying the casing. This View is taken on the line l--I of Fig. 2,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation fragment of the casing, l

Fig. 3 is a cross section through a horizontal batten, on the line 3--3 o-f Fig, 2.

In the drawing, l represents the plates or panels which constitute the main body of the casing structure. In furnace casings or similar installations these plates or panels are made of sheet metal, either plan or corrugated inv their central areas, but wood, ply-wood, or other material may be substituted where such material may `be desirable. The complete casing is made of any number of these panels, supported and held together as a wall unit by means of interposed battens, `the battens being attached to the main structure or to a frame work or studding as deangle required. For battens at ceilings and floors,

sired. In the illustration of the invention, studding is shown merely as an example of how the structure may be built up. l

Vertical battens such as employed in the main body of the wall are shown `at 2, while corner" 5 1 battens are illustrated at 3. Horizontal battens which may or may not be attached to the supporting structure are shown at Incase of the corner battens, the centralportion is bent on the similarly formed battens may be used.

The studding or supporting structure is here illustrated as a rigid framework consisting of vertical posts 6 and bracing members 7, but this is by way of example only, as any part of the main supporting structure may be employed for this purpose.

The battens consist of a main plate 8, preferably formed of sheet metal, having a central area along the batten indicated by the numeral 9 which `is presented to the front of the structure.

. At the sides the plate is reversely bent or folded to provide longitudinal channels along the edges of the battens indicated by the numeral l, `the `edges of the plate terminating inthe two parallel wings I2. In the channel thus provided between the face of the plate and wings l2, the edges of the panels I are received and frictionally held.` i

Extending across the rear of each batten are a number of straps or braces l 5, the ends of which are folded inwardly to provide channels or grooves I6 which receive the wings of the battens. The connection between the straps and the battens is intended to be a close nt with sufcient friction to hold the battens in place, but to allow for shifting sufficiently to allow for the l expansion and contraction of the parts. Similarly, the lit between the panels and the battens permits movement between the parts for the 4d same purpose, and in this connection the turned down ends of the straps may bear against the rearwalls o-f the panels to assist in frictionally holding the panels against the sides of the bat ten channels and prevent looseness of the panels while allowing for expansion and contraction of the entire wall structure.

The securing means for the wall structure is seated in the strap and while any style of holding means maybe employed, bolts 2li may be used as shown, projecting through the main web of the strap and secured` on the inner side thereof by nuts 2|. In the form shown, the bolts pass through the upright members of the studding 6 and are clamped by other nuts 22. When the 55 is located wholly at the rear of the battens and that no part thereof projects in the outer face of the wall or casing. This is an important element of the invention as it not only improves the appearance but also protectsl the ends oi the securing means from rusting or' deterioration from the outside of the casing. The heads of the securing means bywhich vthe battens are secured to the supporting structure, in this case the nuts 2l, are received in the spiace at the rear of the battens between the inner extremities of the channels. By providing this chamber to receive the securing means, it is possible to employ ordinary bolts tosecure the casing to the main supporting structure. This facilitates the easy assembly of the device. It will also be observed that the outer face of each batten is integral with the main body and is not a mere cover piece for the panel holding means.

While the means extending across the rear of each batteri to afford anchorage for the wall structure is shown as individual bridge pieces spaced at requisite intervals, itwill be understood that these bridge `pieces may be enlarged and indeed be coextensive with the battens them.

selves. n

What -is claimed is :y

A wall structure comprising a supporting structure located rearwardly of the wall, a plurality of rspaced battens each of which is formed of a Y single sheet having a central imperforate web vportion and side channels formed by inwardly extending reverselybent edge portions, the bottoms of said channels vbeing spaced apart, in-

dividual panels forming the main body of the wall-and having their edges frictionally held' inthe channels, a bridge piece across the rear of a battenhaving inturned flanges gripping the edges of the hatten and bearing against the panels, and bolts extending from the supporting structure and having their outer ends received in the space between the bottoms of`said channels andl between the bridge piece and the inner face of the batteri. v

` CHARLES B. AKERS. 

